Bridging the Gap: How Existing Systems of Care Can Collaborate to Address Homelessness Among Veterans

Housing is more than just shelter – it is the foundation for a stable, healthy life. Unfortunately, we know that a disproportionate number of veterans experience homelessness. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that while only 7 percent of the general U.S. population are veterans, nearly 13 percent of the homeless adult population are veterans. While public programs are making a positive impact, support is still needed to address the social determinants of health that contribute to homelessness. The Bob Woodruff Foundation recently identified veteran housing insecurity as a top issue in 2022.

How can we take action to solve this complex challenge? We highlight how a coordinated system of services that address social determinants is the best possible solution to end homelessness among veterans.

Building a house requires a lot of different experts, from construction workers, to electricians, to safety inspectors. When it comes to ending veteran homelessness, we need to take a collaborative approach. That’s why we continue to work with our Got Your 6 Network to address gaps in publicly administered programs and ensure all veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness have access to the full range of services they need to succeed in their communities.

Explore the Issue

Seven of the top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans involve a need for legal assistance. Interested in hearing from experts about how veterans’ legal needs intersect with housing insecurity, and what collaborative approaches look like in practice? Catch up on our Lunch & Learn: Legal Services webinar.